CIDG ARRESTS OWN PROVINCIAL CHIEF 6 FAKE AGENTS FOR RECYCLING DRUGS

March 4, 2014 2:11 PM

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 4:10PM) The head of the Pampanga office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was arrested together with fake agents he allegedly tapped for an illegal drugs racket after simultaneous raids Monday on their safehouse in Bulacan and the unit’s office in Pampanga.

CIDG Director Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong identified the rogue officer as Chief Inspector Bienvenido Reydado, who allegedly recruited men with criminal records and passed them off as his agents—when in fact they were used for illegal drugs operations.

Magalong said Reydado is detained at Camp Crame “while we continue to investigate his case for the filing of charges.”

The Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) roster shows Reydado is a member of Class 1999.

Citing failure in command responsibility, Magalong likewise sacked Reydado’s superior, CIDG’s Central Luzon chief, Senior Supt. Victor Valencia.

“All the 7 members of the CIDG-Pampanga were likewise relieved from their post pending investigation,” Magalong said.

Police Supt. Heryl Bruno was named officer-in-charge of the Pampanga provincial CIDG office.

Earlier drug trafficking case

Magalong said Reydado assumed his position as Pampanga CIDG chief just six months ago. CIDG records show Reydado had previously been charged with drug trafficking but the case was dismissed.

Also arrested were civilians Adriano Laureta, Arnold Sanggalang, Eric Reydado, Pedrito Tadeo and Alberto Reydado.

“The 6th civilian was Edwardson Sisracon, tagged as the No. 2 most wanted person in Naic, Cavite. Our raiding team arrested Sisracon at the group’s safe house in Barangay Panginay in Balagtas, Bulacan,” Magalong said.

He said Reydado’s group is called “Agaw Bato Group” and its modus operandi is arresting suspected drug traffickers, especially Chinese, and then freeing them after extorting huge sums of money from them and confiscating their drugs.

Magalong said Reydado’s group was placed under surveillance for almost two months. “Ang ginagawa nila dito ay hinuhuli nila yung mga Chinese drug traffickers, kukunin nila yung drugs, kukunin nila yung pera and at the same time, papakawalan nila. Ine-negotiate nila, papakawalan nila yung mga drug traffickers. Kukunin nila yung mga drugs at ibebenta nila,” Magalong said.

During the raid on the CIDG office in Pampanga, Magalong said his men recovered several unlicensed firearms and P2 million in cash.

“The firearms are loose firearms and the money was believed to be proceeds from illegal drug trafficking by this group,” Magalong said.

The firearms include 5 high-powered firearms, 11 pistols, magazines, five sports utility vehicles, and two motorcycles.

26 kilos, 2 luggages of shabu recycled?

“During his stint as CIDG-Pampanga chief, Reydado and his men recovered 26 kilos and two luggages of shabu, which were subsequently recycled and sold,” Magalong said.

He said Reydado also doctored reports of his successful operations and reported this as failed operations.

Administrative (grave offense) and criminal charges such as illegal possession of firearms and drug trafficking are being prepared against Reydado and his men.

“We launched the operation and continue to build a very strong case against police chief Inspector Bienvenido Reydado, head of Pampanga CIDG, and tuloy-tuloy ang ating investigation ngayon; and this accomplishment will trigger the investigation of other incidents involving policemen involved in the same modus. Agaw Bato. Huhuli ng mostly Chinese i-ne-negotiate tapos pakakawalan yung drug trafficker,” Magalong said.

“This recent accomplishment is part of transforming and cleansing the police ranks,” Magalong added.

Serious about cleanup of ranks

“The important thing here is that the CIDG is acting on rogue elements within CIDG. This sends a strong message that they cannot stay within the PNP and continue doing these activities. We are watching other groups with a similar modus—not just in the CIDG,” he added.

The police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Monday arrested one of its own officers and six civilian agents on suspicion they were involved in drug peddling and other crimes.

Chief Inspector Bienvenido Reydado and his assets — Adriano Laureta, Arnold Sanggalang, Eric Reydado, Pedrito Tadeo, Alberto Reydado and Edeardson Sisracon — during simultaneous raids in Barangay Panginay, Balagtas, Bulacan and the agency’s Pampanga provincial office.

The CIDG said Sisracon was number two on the most wanted list of the Naic, Cavite police.

Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, the acting CIDG director, said authorities seized five high-powered firearms, 11 pistols, ammunition, P2.6 million believed to be earnings from the sale of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu,” five sports utility vehicles and two motorcycles.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory.

(Photo caption: CIDG officials led by P/SUPT Alexander Tagum (l), P/Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong (c), acting director, CIDG and P/SUPT Roberto Fajardo (r), inspect the seized five high-powered firearms, 11 pistols, ammunition and P2.6 million believed to be earnings from the sale of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” during press conference in Camp Crame. March 4, 2014. (Krisken Jones/InterAksyon.com)

Source: Manny Piñol